Self-flushing valve

ABSTRACT

A valve is disclosed that has a body with an inlet, an outlet, and a needleless access port coupled to the body. The access port has an interior space and is configured to be actuated by a needleless connector. The inlet is selectively coupled to the outlet through the interior space such that fluid entering the inlet entirely flows through the interior space to the outlet.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present disclosure is related to fluid valves and, in particular, tointravenous (IV) administration of medical fluids using IV sets withvalves having an access port.

2. Description of the Related Art

Patients in hospitals are often provided with medical fluids that areadministered through an IV infusion. The medical fluids may include asaline solution to hydrate the patient or a more complex mixture, suchas Ringer's Lactate, that may include electrolytes or nutritionalsupplements. It is sometimes desirable to intravenously administer asmall amount of a second medical fluid to a patient already receiving arelatively large amount of a first medical fluid via IV infusion. Ratherthan administer the second medical fluid through a separate directinjection, the second medical fluid can be injected into the flow of thefirst medical fluid. A syringe, or other fluid container having an IVline and a luer connector, can be used to actuate a needleless accessport in an IV set that connects the container of the first medical fluidto the patient and inject the second medical fluid through the accessport. IV sets are commonly provided with one or more needleless accessports for this and other uses.

Needleless access ports typically have internal spaces surrounding theself-sealing elements of the access port. These internal spaces aretypically connected through a single opening to the primary line of theIV set such that the flow through the internal space is to or from theneedleless connector that is actuating the access port. When the IV setis initially set up, this space may not be flushed with fluid introducedinto the primary line, leaving this space filled with air. This requiresmanual flushing of the access port, either by introduction of fluid intothe access port to force this air into the primary line where it iscarried away and expelled during the set-up or connection of an emptysyringe and extraction of the air through the access port.

When a second medical fluid is injected through the needleless accessport, a certain amount of the injected second medical fluid remains inthe interior space and does not reach the patient. To administer theentire prescribed dose of the second medical fluid to the patient, thecaregiver must connect a second syringe, or other fluid container havinga Luer fitting, containing a flushing fluid, for example saline, andinject a sufficient quantity of this flushing fluid to flush theinterior space and carry the second medical fluid into the main line ofthe IV set. This creates an additional work step for the caregiver andadds a risk to the patient of infection due to the additionalmanipulation of the device.

Alternately, a caregiver may administer an extra amount of the secondmedical fluid such that the prescribed dose reaches the main line of theIV set. This creates a risk that a second caregiver, not realizing thatthere is residual second medical fluid in the access port, may alsoadminister an extra amount of the second medical fluid and therebyadminister more than the intended amount.

SUMMARY

It is desirable to provide an infusion set with a needleless access portwithout a trapped internal space such that all air in the IV set isdisplaced by liquid during the initial set-up and the entire volume ofmedical fluid introduced into the access port reaches the patientwithout the need for manually flushing the access port. Within thisdisclosure, the phrase “needleless” is used interchangeably with thephrase “luer” and “Luer,” as a Luer fitting is an exemplary and commonembodiment of a needleless connection system. Likewise, the phrases“connector” and “fitting” are used interchangeably to refer to either ofthe male or female elements of a needleless connector.

The present disclosure includes systems and methods adapted to cause thefluid moving through the primary line to flush the internal space of theattached needleless access port.

In certain embodiments, a valve is provided that comprises a body havingan inlet and an outlet, and a needleless access port coupled to thebody. The access port is configured to be actuated by a Luer fitting.The access port comprises an interior space. The inlet is selectivelycoupled to the outlet through the interior space such that fluidentering the inlet entirely flows through the interior space to theoutlet.

In certain embodiments, a IV set is provided that comprises a valve thatcomprises a body having an inlet and an outlet, and a needleless accessport coupled to the body. The access port is configured to be actuatedby a Luer fitting. The access port comprises an interior space. Theinlet is selectively coupled to the outlet through the interior spacesuch that fluid entering the inlet entirely flows through the interiorspace to the outlet. The IV set also comprises at least one fluid linefluidically coupled to one of the inlet and outlet of the valve.

In certain embodiments, a IV set is provided that comprises a needlelessaccess port comprising an interior space, and first and second fluidlines fluidically coupled to the access port such that all fluid flowingthrough the first fluid line passes into the interior space of theaccess port and then into the second line.

In certain embodiments, a valve is provided that comprises a body havinga first port, a second port, and a third port. The third port comprisesa self-sealing access port configured to be actuated by a Luer fitting.Fluid expelled from the luer connector when actuating the access port isdeposited directly into an internal fluid space. Fluid entering thefirst port entirely flows through the interior space to the second port.

In certain embodiments, a method of intravenously administering amedication to a patient is provided. The method comprising the step ofallowing a medical fluid to flow from a container to a Luer fitting thatis fluidically coupled to the patient through a valve that is coupledbetween the container and the infusion device. The valve comprises abody and a needleless access port coupled to the body. The body has aninlet and an outlet and the access port is configured to be actuated bya Luer fitting. The access port comprises an interior space. The inletis selectively coupled to the outlet through the interior space suchthat the medical fluid flows from the container entirely through theinterior space to the patient. The method also comprises the steps ofactuating the access port by connecting a luer connector that is coupledto a source of the medication, and allowing the medication to flow fromthe source into the interior space of the access port.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide furtherunderstanding and are incorporated in and constitute a part of thisspecification, illustrate disclosed embodiments and together with thedescription serve to explain the principles of the disclosedembodiments. In the drawings:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are an external view and a cross-section, respectively,of an exemplary device in a first configuration according to certainaspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1C is an enlarged cross-section of the rotatable element of FIG. 1Baccording to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1D is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the body ofthe valve of FIG. 1B according to certain aspects of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are an external view and a cross-section, respectively,of the valve of FIGS. 1A and 1B in a second configuration according tocertain aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3A is a cross-section of the valve of FIGS. 1A and 1B in the firstconfiguration according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3B is a cross-section of the valve of FIGS. 1A and 1B in the secondconfiguration according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are an external view and a cross-section, respectively,of the valve of FIGS. 1A and 1B in a third configuration according tocertain aspects of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are an external view and a cross-section, respectively,of the valve of FIGS. 1A and 1B in a fourth configuration according tocertain aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is another embodiment of the rotatable element according tocertain aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description discloses embodiments of systems and methodsfor introducing a second fluid into a primary line carrying a firstfluid through a needleless access port without requiring flushing of theaccess port to remove air or flush a trapped volume of the second fluidinto the primary line.

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are setforth to provide a full understanding of the present disclosure. It willbe apparent, however, to one ordinarily skilled in the art thatembodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without some ofthe specific details. In other instances, well-known structures andtechniques have not been shown in detail so as not to obscure thedisclosure. The systems and methods disclosed herein are discussed inthe context of an IV set that includes a valve and a needleless accessport being used to administer medical fluids to a patient in ahealthcare environment. Nothing herein should be interpreted to limitthe coverage of the claims to a healthcare environment or to IV setsunless specifically stated as such.

The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description ofvarious configurations of the subject technology and is not intended torepresent the only configurations in which the subject technology may bepracticed. The appended drawings are incorporated herein and constitutea part of the detailed description. The detailed description includesspecific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understandingof the subject technology. However, it will be apparent to those skilledin the art that the subject technology may be practiced without thesespecific details. In some instances, well-known structures andcomponents are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuringthe concepts of the subject technology. Like components are labeled withidentical element numbers for ease of understanding.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are an external view and a cross-section, respectively,of an exemplary device 10 in a first configuration according to certainaspects of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1A, the device 10has a body 60 with an outlet connector 14, configured in the depictedembodiment as a male quick-connect fitting, and an inlet connector 12,configured in the depicted embodiment as a female Luer fitting. Thedevice 10 also has a needleless access port 16 coupled to the body 60and a rotatable element 50 (not visible in FIG. 1A) disposed partiallywithin the body 60. An external handle 18 is coupled to the rotatableelement 50. The exemplary handle 18 of FIG. 1A is configured with threelobes that correspond, in the various positions described herein, to theports that are coupled together when the handle is in a particularposition. For example, in the configuration of FIGS. 1A and 1B, allthree ports 12, 14, and 16 are connected.

FIG. 1B depicts the flow paths within the device 10 with the handle 18,and therefore the rotatable element 50, in a first configuration orposition. The rotatable element 50 has four ports that are described ingreater detail with respect to FIG. 1C. The body comprises a post 62that protrudes into the center of the rotatable element 50. Therotatable element 50 moves along its axis of rotation when it rotates.In the configuration of FIG. 1B, the rotatable element 50 is positionedsuch that the post 62 completely blocks the channel 58A (identified inFIG. 2B) through the rotatable element 50, forcing the liquid thatenters the inlet 20 of inlet connector 12 to follow the arrow 2A andflow into the access port 16. The liquid flows through a channel 25 inthe access port 16 and follows arrow 2B into an interior space 26 thatsurrounds the valve plug 18, then follows arrow 2C into a second channel25 that guides the fluid back to the rotatable element 50 where thefluid flows as indicate by arrow 2D to the outlet 22 of the connector14.

The valve plug 18 has an upper portion 30, a lower portion 32, and amembrane 38 that is sealed to the access port body 36 of the access port16. The membrane 38 seals off a portion 28 of the interior space 26. Incertain embodiments, the portion 28 is vented to the externalenvironment through an air channel (not shown) through the access portbody 36. When the access port 16 is not actuated, the upper portion 30is positioned such that a surface of the upper portion 30 is flush withthe entrance 24 of the access port 16. When device 10 is not actuated,fluid continues to flow through the interior space 26 following the pathindicated by arrows 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D. When an IV set that includes adevice 10 is first set up, the flow of medical fluid through the device10 will flush the air that is initially within the interior space 26 outthrough the outlet 22, eliminating the need to manually flush the accessport 16.

When the access port 16 is actuated, as shown in FIG. 1B, by a luerconnector 40, the upper portion 30 is displaced downward into theinterior space 26. This displacement compresses the lower portion 32against an inner surface of the access port body 36 and also stretchesthe membrane 38, creating restorative forces that will urge the upperportion 30 back to the original position when the luer connector 40 isremoved, thereby sealing the access port 16.

The interior space 26 is fluidically coupled to a lumen 42 within theluer connector 40 such that fluids, such as a medical fluid ormedication, may be introduced into the interior space 26 through theluer connector 40 or fluids may be extracted from the interior space 26through the luer connector 40. As previously discussed, a first medicalfluid entering the device 10 through inlet 20 will pass through theinterior space 26 and then to the outlet 22 when the device 10 is in theconfiguration of FIG. 1B. A second medical fluid introduced throughentrance 24 of the access port 16 will mix with the first medical fluidin the interior space 26 and be carried with the first medical fluid tothe outlet 22. When the introduction of the second medical fluid iscomplete, and the luer connector 40 withdrawn, any residue of the secondmedical fluid in the interior space 26 will be flushed by the firstmedical fluid flowing through the interior space 26, thereby ensuringthat the entire dose of the second medical fluid that was injected intothe entrance 24 reaches the patient. This eliminates the need tomanually flush the access port 16 with a flushing liquid to cause theentire administered dose of the second medical fluid to reach thepatient. This also reduces the risk of an overdose of the second medicalfluid as there is no residual pocket of the second medical fluid thatmay create an overdose in a subsequent administration of a medical fluidthrough the access port 16.

The interior space 26 is fluidically isolated from the portion 28 suchthat fluid in the interior space 26 cannot enter the portion 28. Theportion 28 has a first volume when the device 10 is not actuated and asecond volume when the device 10 is actuated by a luer connector 40. Thefluid-filled interior space 26 has a first volume when the device 10 isnot actuated and a second volume when the device 10 is actuated by aluer connector 40. In certain embodiments, the second volume of interiorspace 26 is large than the first volume of the interior space 26, whilethe second volume of the portion 28 is smaller than the first volume ofthe portion 28. This creates a positive displacement of fluid from theinterior space 26 as the luer connector 40 is withdrawn from the accessport 16. In certain embodiments, the access port 16 is configured suchthat the first volume of the interior space 26 is larger than the secondvolume of the interior space 26, thereby creating a negativedisplacement, i.e. drawing fluid into the interior space 26 as the luerconnector 40 is withdrawn from the access port 16. This may bebeneficial to reduce the exposure of the caregiver and patient to thepure second medical fluid, as medical fluid that might leak out throughentrance 24 will be sucked into the interior space 26 as the luerconnector 40 is withdrawn from the entrance 24.

FIG. 1C is an enlarged cross-section of the rotatable element of FIG. 1Baccording to certain aspects of the present disclosure. The rotatableelement 50 has four ports 54, 55, 56, 57 located on a cylindricalexternal surface 58 and a central bore on the axis of rotation of therotatable element 50 that, in the configuration of FIG. 1B, is filled bypost 62 of the body 60. As previously discussed, the post 62 blocks thechannel 58A that directly connects port 54 to port 55 in this positionof the rotatable element 50 within the device 10, such that port 54 isfluidically coupled only to port 56 and port 57 is fluidically coupledonly to port 55. This creates the flow path indicated by arrows 2A, 2B,2C, and 2D in FIG. 1B.

FIG. 1D is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the body 36of the device 10 of FIG. 1B according to certain aspects of the presentdisclosure. In this view, the upper portion of the access port 16 andthe valve plug 18 have been removed to reveal the interior space 26 andthe channels 25 that connect the rotatable element 50 to the interiorspace 26.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are an external view and a cross-section, respectively,of the device 10 of FIGS. 1A and 1B in a second configuration accordingto certain aspects of the present disclosure. It can be seen that thetri-lobed handle 18 in FIG. 2A is rotated 180 degrees with respect tothe position of FIG. 1A.

In FIG. 2B, it can be seen that the rotatable element 50 is also 180degrees with respect to the position of the rotatable element 50 in FIG.1B. In this configuration, the rotatable element 50 is also displacedwith respect to the body 60 along the axis of rotation, moving out ofthe page in the view of FIG. 2B, such that post 62 no longer blocks thechannel 58A in the rotatable element 50 that directly connects ports 54and 55. The other ports 56, 57 are blocked in this configuration, suchthat all fluid that flows into inlet 20 flows into port 55 throughchannel 58A directly to port 54 as indicated by arrow 2E and on to theoutlet 22. The access port 16 is isolated from the fluid flow path inthis configuration.

FIG. 3A is a cross-section of the device 10 of FIGS. 1A and 1B in thefirst configuration according to certain aspects of the presentdisclosure. It can be seen that the rotatable element 50 comprises atravel stop 19 that, in this embodiment, is a ridge passing around acircumference of the rotatable element 50. The travel stop 19 isdisposed within a recess 64 in the body 60. When the rotatable element50 is forced upwards, in the view of FIG. 3A, by a shaped portion (notshown) of the rotatable element 50, then the post 62 contacts the lowerside of the channel 58 before the travel stop reaches the side of recess64. This blocks flow through the channel 58 from port 54 to port 55, asdiscussed with respect to FIG. 1B.

FIG. 3B is a cross-section of the device 10 of FIGS. 1A and 1B in thesecond configuration according to certain aspects of the presentdisclosure. It can be seen that the rotatable element 50 has beendisplaced downward by the shaped portion (not shown) until the travelstop 19 contacts the lower edge of the recess 64, thereby opening a gapbetween the post 62 and the side of channel 58. This allows direct flowbetween ports 55 and 54.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are an external view and a cross-section, respectively,of the device 10 of FIGS. 1A and 1B in a third configuration accordingto certain aspects of the present disclosure. In the position of thehandle 18 shown in FIG. 4A, it can be seen in FIG. 4B that the port 54is fluidically coupled to both channels 25 in the access port 16 andthat both ports 56 and 57 are fluidically coupled to the inlet 20. Thisconfiguration is advantageous for injecting a medical fluid throughentrance 24 of the access port 16 and guiding the injected medical fluidas indicated by the arrows 2F and 2G solely to the inlet 20, whilepreventing any of the fluid from passing out the outlet 22.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are an external view and a cross-section, respectively,of the valve of FIGS. 1A and 1B in a fourth configuration according tocertain aspects of the present disclosure. In the position of the handle18 shown in FIG. 4A, it can be seen that the flow paths are reversedfrom those shown in FIG. 4B. Port 55 is now coupled to both of thechannels 25 of the access port 16, and the ports 56, 57 are both coupledto the outlet 22. This configuration is advantageous for injecting amedical fluid through entrance 24 of the access port 16 and guiding theinjected medical fluid as indicated by the arrows 2H and 2J solely tothe outlet 22, while preventing any of the fluid from passing out theinlet 20.

FIG. 6 is another embodiment of the rotatable element 50A according tocertain aspects of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the fluidpassages between the ports are formed as recessed channels 58A in anouter surface of the body 52A, instead of passages 58A passing throughthe body 52 as seen in FIG. 1C. The channel 58A connecting port 54 toport 56 is visible in FIG. 6.

The disclosed self-flushing valve is configured to direct a firstmedical fluid flowing from the inlet to the outlet of the valve throughthe interior space of the access port, thereby automatically flushingthis interior volume. The disclosed valve is advantageous in that theinterior space of the access port is flushed of air during set-up by thefirst medical fluid flowing through the valve without the need formanually injecting fluid or extracting air through the access port,thereby reducing the workload of the caregiver and reducing the riskthat residual air may be passed through the connected IV lines to thepatient. Similarly, the total volume of a second medical fluid injectedinto the access port is flushed by the first medical fluid passingthrough the valve without the need to manually inject a flushing liquidinto the access port or inject an extra amount of the second medicalfluid to force the prescribed amount into the main channel. This againreduces the workload of the caregiver while also reducing the risk of anoverdose when residual second medical fluid remains trapped in anon-flushed volume of the access port.

It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps or blocksin the processes disclosed is an illustration of exemplary approaches.Based upon design preferences, it is understood that the specific orderor hierarchy of steps or blocks in the processes may be rearranged. Theaccompanying method claims present elements of the various steps in asample order, and are not meant to be limited to the specific order orhierarchy presented.

It is understood that the designation of inlet and outlet are arbitraryand that fluid may enter the connector through the port identified asthe outlet and flow through the connector and out through the portidentified as the inlet.

The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the various aspects described herein. Variousmodifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilledin the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied toother aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to theaspects shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistentwith the language claims.

Reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one andonly one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more.”Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one ormore.

Pronouns in the masculine (e.g., his) include the feminine and neutergender (e.g., her and its) and vice versa. All structural and functionalequivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughoutthis disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those ofordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by referenceand are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothingdisclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless ofwhether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. No claimelement is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, sixthparagraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase“means for” or, in the case of a method claim, the element is recitedusing the phrase “operation for.”

Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described andillustrated in detail, it is to be clearly understood that the same isby way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way oflimitation, the scope of the present invention being limited only by theterms of the appended claims.

1. A valve comprising: a body having an inlet and an outlet; and aneedleless access port coupled to the body, the access port configuredto be actuated by a needleless connector, the access port comprising aninterior space; wherein the inlet is selectively coupled to the outletthrough the interior space such that fluid entering the inlet entirelyflows through the interior space to the outlet.
 2. The valve of claim 1,wherein: the needleless connector comprises a flow passage; and the flowpassage is fluidically coupled to the interior space while theneedleless connector is actuating the access port.
 3. The valve of claim1, further comprising: a rotatable element disposed within the body, therotatable element having a selectable first position wherein the inletis coupled to the outlet through the interior space.
 4. The valve ofclaim 3, wherein the rotatable element has a selectable second positionwherein the inlet is fluidically coupled directly to the outlet suchthat at least a portion of fluid entering the inlet flows to the outletwithout passing through the interior space.
 5. The valve of claim 4,wherein the access port is fluidically isolated from the inlet and theoutlet when the rotatable element is in the second position.
 6. Thevalve of claim 3, wherein: the rotatable element comprises an inletport, an outlet port, and first and second side ports; and the rotatableelement and body are configured such the inlet of the body isfluidically coupled to the inlet port that is fluidically coupled onlyto the first side port and the outlet of the body is fluidically coupledto the outlet port that is fluidically coupled only to the second sideport and the first and second side ports are separately coupled to theinterior space of the access port when the rotatable element is in thefirst position.
 7. The valve of claim 6, wherein: the body comprises apost that protrudes into the rotatable element; the rotatable assemblycomprises an axis of rotation and a direct passage from the inlet portdirectly to the outlet port; The body and rotatable assembly areconfigured to as to cooperatively displace the rotatable assembly withrespect to the body along the axis of rotation as the rotatable assemblyis moved between the first and second positions; the post blocks thedirect passage when the rotatable assembly is in the first position; andthe direct passage is at least partially open when the rotatableassembly is in the second position.
 8. The valve of claim 1, wherein:the access port is further configured such that the interior space has afirst volume when not actuated and a second volume when actuated; andthe first volume is less than the second volume.
 9. The valve of claim8, wherein: the access port further comprises an air space separatedfrom the interior space; the air space has a first air volume when theaccess port is not actuated and a second air volume when actuated; andthe first volume is greater than the second volume.
 10. An intravenous(IV) set comprising: a valve comprising: a body having an inlet and anoutlet; and a needleless access port coupled to the body, the accessport configured to be actuated by a needleless connector, the accessport comprising an interior space; wherein the inlet is selectivelycoupled to the outlet through the interior space such that fluidentering the inlet entirely flows through the interior space to theoutlet; and at least one fluid line fluidically coupled to one of theinlet and outlet of the valve.
 11. The IV set of claim 10, wherein: theneedleless connector comprises a flow passage; and the flow passage isfluidically coupled to the interior space while the connector isactuating the access port.
 12. The IV set of claim 11, furthercomprising: a rotatable element disposed within the body, the rotatableelement having a selectable first position wherein the inlet is coupledto the outlet through the interior space.
 13. The IV set of claim 12,wherein the rotatable element has a selectable second position whereinthe inlet is fluidically coupled directly to the outlet such that atleast a portion of fluid entering the inlet flows to the outlet withoutpassing through the interior space.
 14. The IV set of claim 13, whereinthe access port is fluidically isolated from the inlet and the outletwhen the rotatable element is in the second position.
 15. The IV set ofclaim 12, wherein: the rotatable element comprises an inlet port, anoutlet port, and first and second side ports; and the rotatable elementand body are configured such the inlet port is fluidically coupled onlyto the first side port and the outlet port is fluidically coupled onlyto the second side port when the rotatable element is in the firstposition.
 16. The IV set of claim 15, wherein: the body comprises a postthat protrudes into the rotatable element; the rotatable assemblycomprises an axis of rotation and a direct passage from the inlet portdirectly to the outlet port; the body and rotatable assembly areconfigured to as to cooperatively displace the rotatable assembly withrespect to the body along the axis of rotation as the rotatable assemblyis moved between the first and second positions; the post blocks thedirect passage when the rotatable assembly is in the first position; andthe direct passage is at least partially open when the rotatableassembly is in the second position.
 17. The IV set of claim 10, wherein:the access port is further configured such that the interior space has afirst volume when not actuated and a second volume when actuated; andthe first volume is less than the second volume.
 18. An IV setcomprising: a needleless access port comprising an interior space; andfirst and second fluid lines fluidically coupled to the access port suchthat all fluid flowing through the first fluid line passes into theinterior space of the access port and then into the second line.
 19. Avalve comprising: a body having a first port, a second port, and a thirdport, wherein the third port comprises a self-sealing access portconfigured to be actuated by a Luer fitting, wherein fluid expelled fromthe Luer fitting when actuating the access port is deposited directlyinto an internal fluid space, and wherein fluid entering the first portentirely flows through the interior space to the second port.
 20. Amethod of intravenously administering a medication to a patient, themethod comprising the steps of: allowing a medical fluid to flow from acontainer to an infusion device that is fluidically coupled to thepatient through a valve that is coupled between the container and theinfusion device, the valve comprising a body and a needleless accessport coupled to the body, wherein the body has an inlet and an outletand the access port is configured to be actuated by a needlelessconnector, wherein the access port comprises an interior space, andwherein the inlet is selectively coupled to the outlet through theinterior space such that the medical fluid flows from the containerentirely through the interior space to the patient; actuating the accessport by connecting a needleless connector that is coupled to a source ofthe medication; and allowing the medication to flow from the source intothe interior space of the access port.
 21. The method of claim 20,further comprising the step of: rotating a rotatable element having aninlet port, an outlet port, and first and second side ports to a firstposition wherein the inlet of the body is fluidically coupled to theinlet port that is fluidically coupled only to the first side port andthe outlet of the body is fluidically coupled to the outlet port that isfluidically coupled only to the second side port and the first andsecond side ports are separately coupled to the interior space of theaccess port.
 22. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of:allowing the medical fluid flowing from the container to flush at leasta portion of the medication from the interior space to the patient.